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Older homes typically have plaster walls. That hasn’t stopped generations of carpenters from installing a chair rail to protect the plaster finish, nor should it stop you. Traditional wood molding that you sand and paint is available in profiles to fit any decor. Newer molding options include lightweight urethane, which comes in basic white that you don’t even need to paint. If you still want to paint the newer molding, paintable urethane is available as well.

1

Measure 32 to 36 inches up from the floor in several locations and mark the desired height with chalk. As you select the height, take window openings and other features in the room into consideration. Set chairs you plan to use in the room against the line to see if you have the correct height to protect the wall from damage from the chairs and other furniture when they are pushed against the wall.

2

Check that your marks are level using a carpenter’s level. Snap a chalk line around the perimeter of the room.

3

Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall. Make marks along the chalk line to indicate stud locations.

4

Measure the lengths of each wall. Cut a piece of wall molding 1/4-inch longer than the measurement to allow for expansion and contraction from temperature changes. Use a miter saw to cut the ends of the molding pieces at a 45-degree angle. Make straight cuts on the molding where it meets window and door trim.

5

Apply a coat of stain to the molding with a soft rag. Wipe off the excess stain with a clean rag. If you are painting the molding instead, sand it lightly with fine-grit sandpaper to remove any rough edges. Apply a coat of primer and two coats of paint, allowing all coats to dry before applying the next one. Skip this step if you are installing ready-to-use molding.

6

Hold a piece of molding in place along the chalk line. Transfer the location of the studs onto the chair rail. Drill small pilot holes at each stud location on the chair rail.

7

Apply a bead of construction adhesive to the back of wooden chair rail molding. Add polyurethane adhesive caulk to urethane molding. Put the molding back in place along the chalk line. Secure the molding to the wall with finishing nails through the pilot holes. Use a nail set to counterset each of the nails slightly below the molding’s surface.

8

Hang the rest of the chair rail as you did in the previous step. Cover each nail hole with matching wood putty. Wipe off excess putty with a clean rag. If you use urethane, use spackling compound to fill the nail holes. Wipe off excess with a damp rag.

Things You Will Need

Tape measure

Chalk

Chalk line

Stud finder

Miter saw

Stain

Soft rags

Fine-grit sandpaper

Primer

Paint

Paintbrush

Construction adhesive

Caulk gun

Polyurethane adhesive caulk

Hammer

Finishing nails

Nail set

Wood putty

Spackling compound

Tips

This job goes a lot faster if you have someone hold the molding while you nail it in position.

About the Author

Denise Brown is an education professional who wanted to try something different. Two years and more than 500 articles later, she's enjoying her freelance writing experience for online resources such as Work.com and other online information sites. Brown holds a master's degree in history education from Truman State University.